Short torso'd ladies/shopping in petites?

nicoleb

As I have yet another clothing item where the straps need shortening (I should really learn to do this myself) this has been on my mind.

I think I remember reading at least one forum member gets her tops in petites who is average height but short torsoed? I'm 5'5 3/4" (they never just let me have 5'6" lol) so I'm thinking this might be worth pursuing for me in at least tops. Not sure how a dress would work out...

But not until it's time for fall purchases

11 years ago

Dressing

12 replies

Latest reply was from christieanne

Diana

Veteran

It rarely works for me even though I am 5'3.5" and short waisted, but I have long gorilla arms. Occasionally a short sleeved or sleeveless top will work. Honestly, though, I find the petite selection pretty dismal so I rarely try to find things there unless I happen to be at a store like BR that carries many things in both regular and petite.

I have better luck in junior's honestly.

11 years ago

sarah

Veteran

Well, I shop almost exclusively in petites, as I'm short AND short-torsoed. But my clothes aren't quite as fun as yours...so I can make do with Loft, AT, BR, GAP, Nordstrom's, and Talbots.

11 years ago

Chrizzle

Active Member

I'm short-waisted and 5'6" (I used to be 5'7" but I shrunk!). I learned from my mother, who is of similar height and proportions, that petite tops will sometimes fit better, especially short-sleeved or sleeveless tops. Some petite dresses work too, which surprised me, as I have never liked my skirts short.

As my clothing size has increased, I don't regularly shop petites any more, but I used to have decent luck with that strategy when my heart was set on a particular top or dress that was too long in the torso for me.

One caveat is that petites won't work if your shoulders are wide. My sister is built along similar lines as Mom and me, but petite tops have always been too narrow in the shoulder for her.

11 years ago

nicoleb

(website)

Veteran

My shoulders are 36". I'm not sure if that's considered wide or not?

I know Nordstrom Rack has a petite section so i could try stuff on the next time i'm there i guess and see how it goes.

11 years ago

rae

(website)

Veteran

I have Diana's long gorilla arms, too! So petites don't work for me, either. I think this might only work on a case by case basis - in my case, for example, I need to shorten straps a lot, but it's not really my torso that causes it; it's the distance from my shoulder to bust/cleavage.

11 years ago

Amy

(website)

Veteran

I'm 5'8" and sometimes shop in petites for tops. I too have trouble with long arms, though. Short sleeved tops are usually good!

11 years ago

MsMary

Veteran

Couldn't hurt to give it a try, right?

11 years ago

Ana

(website)

Veteran

I think petite fit has a lot to do with proportion. My friend is 5'10" and often has the same problem as you. All her height is in her legs. She has a really hard time finding pants and skirts that are long enough, and many tops are too long, or the straps are too long. She will often shop the petite section and find things that work (shorter sleeved and sleeveless tops, mostly). Give it a try!

11 years ago

Janet

(website)

Veteran

I'm 5'7" and I can sometimes get away with a petite cut in a sleeveless or short-sleeved top or dress. it's worth a try.

I frequently have to get straps shortened.

11 years ago

(website)

Veteran

I am 5' 4.5" with a short/high waist and fit petite jackets (juniors sometimes is a good fit too).

11 years ago

Suz

(website)

Veteran

It really is case-by-case, Nicole. It can't hurt to try.

For example, Chrizzle mentions that petites won't work if your shoulders are wide. Generally speaking, I think she's right.

But my shoulders are quite wide for my height (39 inches, and I am 5'4" tall) and petite tops DO work fine for me. It suspect that is because, while wide, my shoulders are not DEEP, if that makes sense. I'm not a true IT...there's not a lot of flesh up there. And also, I have a small bust. And short arms.

I am also short waisted so I find petite tops and jackets tend to work best....and sometimes, but not always, dresses. Bit I can sometimes wear a regular top just fine. And European sizes (in tops, jackets, dresses) are actually best of all for me - esp. French and Italian.

I can't wear petite trousers because the legs are too short (even though I have proportionately short legs) and the rise, especially, is too short.

Have you done Imgen's proportion exercise over on Inside Out Style? She shows you how to measure. It's possible that you are short from chin to bust, which would account for needing to alter straps - and might or might not put you in the petites category. I'm actually average-to-long in the chin to bust measurement, but short from bust to waist.

11 years ago

christieanne

Veteran

I find petites fit my short waist self (I am just under 5'5") but varies by brand whether they will fit on bust. For you, it might work perfectly. You should definitely explore the possibilities.
Sometimes the petite length of skirts fits me better as well - you just have to try on multiple things I suppose.

11 years ago

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